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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Fracture height prediction

Journal Article · · J. Pet. Technol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2118/18338-PA· OSTI ID:7189481

The three basic types of vertical hydraulic-fracturing-treatment design models can be classified as two-dimensional (2D), pseudo-three-dimensional (p-3D), and fully three-dimensional (3D) models. The 2D models that simulate 2D fracture geometry and one-dimensional (1D) fluid flow include the classic Khristianovic and Zheltov/Geertsma and de Klerk (KGD) and Perkins and Kern/sup 3//Nordgren (PKN) type models. The p-3D models approximate 3D fracture geometry and assume 1D flow, whereas the 3D models simulate fully 3D geometry and rigorous 2D fluid flows. The 2D models require fracture height as an input parameter. The sophisticated 3D models adequately represent created fracture geometry (fracture height, width, and length), provided that detailed fluid rheology, formation in-situ stress, and mechanical properties at the wellbore and throughout the reservoir are available. For daily use by the completion and production engineer, such sophistication may lead to significant cost and complexity in use. Also, quite often the unavailability and quality of data do not warrant the sophistication these models provide. Moreover, a significant majority of fracture-treatment designs are performed with 2D models. Therefore, the availability of a practical method to predict the hydraulic fracture height effectively in conjunction with 2D models is important.

Research Organization:
Schlumberger Well Services (US)
OSTI ID:
7189481
Journal Information:
J. Pet. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Pet. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 40:7; ISSN JPTJA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English